Review by BARBARA ALBURY
AS SOON as I saw the poster with the upturned black moustache and the downturned orange mouth announcing The Misanthrope, I knew I was in for a frothy, light-hearted treat. I prepared myself for an afternoon of delightful comedy but soon realized that there was a downer in Moliere’s masterpiece.
It turns out our misanthropic protagonist, Alceste, played with thoughtful aplomb by Alex Robson, is a tragic figure.
He becomes an outcast in the polite, but pretentious French society of the 17th century because he is unashamedly honest and speaks his mind.
The only trouble is that he is hopelessly, and helplessly, attracted to an outrageous flirt and double dealer, Celimene, played exquisitely by Sorcha Harrop. So there is the conundrum: an outspoken idealist pits himself against a base and hypocritical world but is hung up on a gal whose frivolity and, it must be acknowledged – wit, epitomise the artificial courtly manners Alceste so despises.
Poor Alceste suffers greatly because his would-be love will not bend to his will and become virtuous and self-effacing – and tedious.
However his ultimate punishment for refusing to dole out false compliments to a powerful noble about a badly composed sonnet (a major catastrophe) is to be put on trial for his indiscretion, and then to go into self-imposed exile.
He wants Celimene to reform and go with him but you can understand her reluctance to accept an invitation from such a sourpuss.
The best thing about this production was its light touch, its youth (with talented Felt Tip Theatre School students participating) and its energy. Very nice work also by the courtiers and their ladies with gorgeous costumes and wigs by Margaret Sims and a minimal set enlivened by the magic touch of Pam Menzies.
Alex has described The Misanthrope as a colourful, flavoursome sorbet. And so it is – a dainty delicacy, but with “a bite”. By adapting, directing and acting in the production, Alex is doing what Moliere did three and a half centuries ago. He left Paris (in Moliere’s case under a cloud) and started his own theatre company in the provinces, writing plays with himself in the lead.
I can see Alex doing something like this – honing his craft in Armidale and then blazing a trail to Sydney or Brisbane and beyond. Why not? When you are young the world can be your oyster.
